ComCol North Canterbury to deliver course
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
North Canterbury’s community college is looking to make a return next month after an uncertain 12 months.
ComCol suspended its Youth Guarantee education programmes at the end of last year due to rising compliance costs.
A new eight-week pilot educational programme, Grow, is set to be launched by ComCol North Canterbury for term four.
Manager Kate O’Connor said the programme would teach in resilience, wellbeing, food security and sustainability.
Skills included cooking, budgeting and preparing a CV.
She said it would centre on growing food and preparing it in the kitchen.
But there would be flexibility to support students’ goals, including supporting them into work experience.
The pilot course would be funded from ComCol’s reserve funds and O’Connor was also seeking support from the community.
‘‘We felt the need was there in the community, so we are doing it on our own back.
‘‘And we are looking to the community to be involved in our project.
‘‘If people have an abundance of fruit and vegetables that we can come and harvest and help turn that excess produce into a usable product to go into our koha shed, we would love to hear from you.’’
ComCol already has established relationships with Rangiora High School, Salvation Army Rangiora and Satisfy Food Rescue.
Should the pilot be successful, O’Connor said ComCol would reapply to the Ministry of Social Development for Youth Guarantee funding.
She hoped to roll Grow out as a 12-week course across all the ComCol sites next year.
ComCol has been offering an alternative education option in North Canterbury for more than 30 years.
‘‘Schools in our region do a great job of educating a significant number of our young people, but for those whose needs are not met by the existing school system an alternative is required.’’
ComCol has continued to offer its free mentoring Youth Service across all of its South Island site.
The Rangiora site continues to support programmes for Rangiora and Kaiapoi high schools and Te Kura (home school) students.
■ Anyone who is interested in the Grow programme can contact ComCol North Canterbury on (03) 3135874 or email info@comcol.ac.nz.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64.3% Yes
-
33.2% No
-
2.5% Other - I'll share below
Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!
What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
Loading…
